WASHINGTON DC
April 1
The Howard University African Business Club awarded Congressman Bobby L. Rush with an award for Excellence in Policy and Advocacy in the Congressman’s office on Capitol Hill. In attendance at the award presentation was also corporate sponsor of the HU African Business Conference, Mr. Kendal Tyre of the Washington, DC office of Nixon Peabody, LLP, Ms. Angelle Kwemo, LLM, counsel to the Congressman, Mr. Ian Campbell, former aide to the Congressman, and Mr. Shelvin Longmire, U.S. Director of Afrique Expansion, Inc. and member of the Executive Advisory Committee of the African Business Conference.
Congressman Rush is the first individual to receive the award for his integral role in helping to shape U.S. policies to further the development of Africa. He launched the Africa Partnership for Economic Growth Caucus (APEGc) in 2009 as an effort to promote growth and economic development in order to build U.S.-Sub-Saharan African relations. In addition, Congressman Rush has introduced or supported several resolutions that acknowledge and express the importance of Africa and her people for the U.S. Congressman Rush encouraged the students to strive to give back to Africa because they are the future of the Continent. He stated that the only way to change the negative image of Africa is to press forward and implement ways in which the world may see Africa for all she has to offer. Congressman Rush also encouraged the MBA students to never forget about Africa, but to find ways they can help the Continent develop in their respective fields.
The African Business Club, made up of undergraduate and graduate MBA students from Howard seeks to inform and educate the Diaspora community about trade and invest opportunities available on the Continent. A primary means for doing this is through the Annual Howard University African Business Conference. The Conference, organized and executed by the African Business Club and the Howard MBA Program, brings together some of the most successful individuals in the African business sector to discuss the development potential of the Continent, as well as to share their personal success stories. This year’s distinguished panelists consisted of top African businessmen and women, U.S. government officials that are active in trade and investment in Africa, and domestic corporations that conduct business on the Continent.
For more information about the African Business Conference, visit: http://www.huabc.org
Ethleen Sawyerr
Senior
Howard University, Legacy Scholar
Ronald E. McNair Scholar
